Obituary

Thomas J. Hanahan Jr.
11/10/1934 - 4/3/2009

Thomas J. Hanahan, husband, father, gramps, born in Chicago, Ill., passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on April 3, 2009.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Sandee; and his four children, Thomas J. Hanahan III of Chicago, Ill., Karen Holycross and husband, Dan of Baton Rouge, La., Connie Molland and husband, Rick of Asheville, NC and David Hanahan of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandfather of Sarah Bo Morel and husband, Brian of Germany and Lindsay Street and husband, Henry Ryan of Eastern NC; and proud great-grandfather of Aiden and Sophia Morel. He will also be missed by his mother, Madeline Hanahan; brothers, Bob Hanahan and wife, Ida, Phil Hanahan and fiance Carole, all from the Chicago area; and sister, Marilyn Ferro and husband, Enrique of Temecula, Calif.

He attended St. Ignatius High School in Chicago and, subsequently, graduated as journeyman carpenter from the Carpenter's Apprentice School. Tom served from 1951 to 1953 in the US Navy Seabees in the Korean War. He was elected in 1964 to the Illinois State Legislature on an at-large ballot and went on to serve the citizens of Illinois for 18 years. His tenure in the legislature is best remembered as being a strong champion for labor issues. He served as the State Chair for the young Democrats for the State of Illinois, and was honored to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1968 and again in 1974. After retiring from the legislature, Tom worked his way up through the ranks of the International United Brotherhood of Carpenters with the high point as Vice President of the Executive Board.

Tom was a 50+ year active member of both the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union and the Knights of Columbus. With the Knights of Columbus, Tom served as a Grand Knight of the Thomas D Riley County 1068, Hilton Head Island, SC and as a past faithful navigator of the Hilton Head Assembly of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Tom was a current member of the Prescott American Legion Post 6 and of Council 1032 Knights of Columbus. Tom always lived each day to the fullest, enjoying traveling, woodworking, golfing, sailing, cooking (known for his Bridgidini's and Irish Soda Bread) and spending quality time with his family.

A Rosary service will be at 7P.M. Monday, April 6, 2009, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Family Funeral Homes, corner of Cortez and Carleton with Rev. James Kirchner officiating. A Celebration Mass will be at 11am Tuesday, April 7, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Darryl Olds with a Chalice service by Bishop Green Assembly of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Inurnment will be at 11am Wednesday, April 8, at Prescott National Cemetery with military honor by American Legion Post #6.

http://www.ruffnerwakelin.com/services.asp?page=odetail&id=779

Update April 4

From Tom's son David:

Dad/Gramps died at about 5 a.m. April 3 at home with Sandee by his side. He spent his last day in apparently no pain and looked very restful and at peace. Connie and I, as well as Sandee's very good friend Maggie, were at their home for the past few days and Uncle Bob and Tommy came in to town Friday.

We are planning a Rosary Service 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, and a Celebration Mass 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. An Inurnment will be at Prescott National Cemetery 11 a.m. Wednesday. The specifics should on the funeral home Web site soon. 

We are suggesting memorials to YRMC Hospice, Restricted Fund, 3262 N. Windsong Drive, Prescott AZ 86314. This organization has created a Memorial Golf Tournament in Dad/Gramps' honor. Also, flowers may be sent directly to the funeral home prior to Monday's service.

He will be missed by the many people he has touched during his life. He told us a while back how much he really appreciated all the cards and prayers.

Daily Courier obituary:

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=167&SubSectionID=468&ArticleID=66589&TM=66630.96 

Funeral home Web site:

http://www.ruffnerwakelin.com/home.asp

March 18, 2009

Friends and family have been wonderful in showing their support for the Hanahans. Here are some pictures from Connie, Tom's daughter, from their visit.

Aiden and his great grandfather:

Sophia and her great grandfather:


Some of the family:


Here is what Connie wrote:

The first 2 pics are of Gramps with his 2 great grandchildren, Aiden in the hot tub and Sophia at the Chinese restaurant. Rick took the last picture of us all and Brian was visiting his parents in NY so they're not in this photo. Dad/Gramps had some pretty good days while we were there. We went to the Olive Garden on Friday and then Sandee made a fabulous corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday in honor of St Patty's Day (several days early because of travel schedules). We had key lime pie (green!) and "wedding" pie (meringue pie: affectionately called wedding pie b/c that's what Karen and Dan had after they got married). Of course, we also had Guiness beer.

Karen's wedding

Karen, Tom's daughter, got married last week to Dan. Tom was there to give his first daughter, second child away.

Visiting Tom

Here is an update from Lindsay (this blogger), Tom's granddaughter:

I arrived yesterday afternoon. Out of coincidence and circumstance rather than planned, my dad, Bill, ended up picking me up for a dual visit. He only stayed the afternoon and into the early evening, whereas I will remain until Monday.

The first thing that strikes you when you see Gramps is how strong he looks and his overall presence is as vibrant as ever. His voice was doing very well yesterday afternoon and he even took time to talk business and politics with us (perhaps two of his favorite subjects).

In a corner in the dining room is a stack of cards from well-wishers. Sandee commented on how Gramps is insisting on getting a thank you note to each person who has written. It is truly amazing to look at how many people have written -- and even more amazing that each has received a thank you card in return.

This morning, Jim from the church came over to talk with Gramps and give communion to both Gramps and Sandee. Sandee tells me that he comes over daily.

Already, Gramps and I have had a nice political discussion this morning. He has talked to two people over the phone. His voice is strong as ever this morning.

He's also finished one paper and he's likely onto another paper soon, if he ever stops talking.

I hope to update you later this weekend. Sarah Bo, Brian, Sophia and Aiden are due in tomorrow. They arrive in Phoenix tonight, but won't make the trip to Prescott until Sunday.

(Pictured: Tom and his eldest son, Tommy, golfing over Thanksgiving)

Going to Arizona?

Since Tom has such a great support system all over the country, his daughter Connie thought it would be prudent to post everybodies' itinerary here.

So far:

Feb. 26: Marilyn and the Chalmers
Feb. 26-March 2: Dan
Feb. 27: Jarod
March 6 - Bill
March 6-9 - Lindsay
March 7-17 - Morels

March 13-16 - Mollands
March 23 - Phil, Bob and Mom (Big Gram)

Let's keep this as current as possible. Please either put your dates you plan to spend in Arizona in the comment section of this post or e-mail me.

(Pictured: Tom with wife Sandee at a casino in Prescott over Christmas. Don't let the gingerbread houses fool you; they were there to gamble! Just kidding!)

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-OR-

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